HB 5605 requires West Virginia legislators to pass annual drug tests for illegal drugs and unprescribed legal drugs to receive compensation or expense reimbursement. The bill mandates testing by December 31 each year, with legislators covering their own testing costs. Failure to pass or complete the test results in the loss of all legislative pay and reimbursements for that session. This policy directly affects all state legislators, linking their financial compensation to drug test compliance under the new provision.
HB 5571 provides a $6,000 pay equity adjustment over three years ($2,000 annually) for non-uniformed administrative staff in West Virginia's Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The increases begin July 1, 2026, and apply to full-time equivalent employees not in uniformed roles, such as office or support positions. Funding comes from general revenue appropriations for state divisions, while regional jail staff receive funding from a special revenue fund. This bill directly affects non-uniformed correctional facility employees who face recruitment and retention challenges, without altering existing pay grade maximums.
HB 5536, the West Virginia Constitutional Authority Clarification Act, clarifies that court rulings declaring a law unconstitutional apply only to the parties involved in that specific case, not automatically to the entire state. It requires the West Virginia Supreme Court to have at least four justices agree before declaring a law unconstitutional and pauses lower court rulings on such issues until the Supreme Court acts. The bill also establishes a process where the Legislature and Governor can jointly override judicial decisions on constitutional matters through a signed resolution. This directly affects how state courts interpret laws and reshapes the balance of power between West Virginia's legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
HB 5562 creates a public reporting system for hazardous conditions on state-maintained roads, such as potholes, damaged guardrails, or obstructed pathways. It requires the West Virginia Department of Highways to establish a 24/7 toll-free hotline, online portal, and mobile app for residents to report hazards, with the department tracking each report via unique IDs and classifying severity. The bill mandates a public online dashboard showing report volumes, response times, and resolution status, plus an annual report to the legislature on hazard trends and improvements. Crucially, it provides limited state liability if the Department fails to address a reported hazard after receiving notice, while protecting reporters' personal information.
HB 5487 proposes to repeal West Virginia Code §33-6-31d, which previously established optional limits for uninsured and underinsured motor vehicle coverage. The bill would remove this specific provision from state law, eliminating a requirement that insurers offer policyholders the option to set lower coverage limits for these scenarios. This change would directly affect auto insurance policies in West Virginia, as it removes a structured option for consumers to choose reduced coverage levels. The bill focuses solely on repealing an existing legal provision, with no new requirements or changes to standard coverage mandates.
This is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SR 41), not a bill with policy changes. It formally recognizes the West Virginia University Institute for Community and Rural Health for its 15-year work since 2011 supporting rural health care in West Virginia. The resolution highlights the institute's role in developing the health care workforce through student programs, professional development, and financial incentives for rural health professionals. It has no binding policy impact and serves only to acknowledge the institute's contributions.
This is a ceremonial Senate Resolution (SR 38), not a substantive bill. It formally designates February 16, 2026, as "Rural Health Day" at the West Virginia Capitol. The resolution acknowledges rural health care providers - including hospitals, clinics, and emergency services - and recognizes their efforts in addressing health care challenges in rural West Virginia. It has no legal effect beyond this symbolic recognition and does not impose new requirements or change existing laws.
HB 5365 regulates pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) that provide prescription drug coverage services to West Virginia's Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA). The bill amends state code to create a special investigating unit within PEIA and grants the Insurance Commissioner authority to investigate PBM practices. It defines key terms related to PEIA operations and establishes oversight mechanisms for PBMs handling state employee health benefits. This bill directly affects PEIA and its contracted PBM providers, focusing on increasing transparency and accountability in prescription drug benefit management. The legislation is currently in committee review (House Banking and Insurance) after introduction on February 9, 2026.
SB 953 establishes rules for local religious organizations to disaffiliate from a parent denomination while retaining property. It requires a two-thirds vote of the local organization's membership for disaffiliation to be effective. Property is divided into three classes: real estate (each separately deeded parcel is a distinct unit), personal property (e.g., furniture), and intangible assets (e.g., cash or investments). Local groups can keep real estate if over 50% of its acquisition/improvement costs were raised locally (excluding parent funds), but must reimburse the parent for parent investments. The parent denomination must provide a detailed financial accounting within 60 days of a disaffiliation request.
This concurrent resolution (SCR 3) requests the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to study how to fund West Virginia's Flood Resiliency Trust Fund. The committee must examine potential funding sources, including state revenue streams (like severance taxes), federal matching programs, lessons from other states, required funding levels, and using excess money from the Income Tax Reserve Fund. The study aims to develop a sustainable strategy to support the fund's goals, such as improving flood data, protecting infrastructure, and advancing risk reduction. The committee must report findings by January 1, 2027, to inform future legislation. This resolution does not allocate funds but directs a study to address current gaps in the fund's long-term financing.
SB 949 establishes West Virginia's "Uniform Assignment for Benefit of Creditors Act" (UABCA), creating a standardized legal process for individuals and businesses (assignors) to transfer all assets to a third party (assignee) to pay creditors. The bill defines key terms like "assignor," "assignee," and "claim," and sets clear requirements for assignment agreements, creditor notification, and asset transfers. It outlines how claims are processed (allowed, disputed, or disallowed), specifies duties for assignors and assignees, and clarifies distribution rules and court oversight. This act aims to provide predictable, uniform procedures for debt resolution through asset transfers, directly affecting creditors, debtors, and assignees in West Virginia.
HB 5066 would amend West Virginia election law to prohibit the public release of employers' names and addresses for individuals who contribute more than $250 to political campaigns in a single election cycle. Currently, campaign finance reports require disclosure of contributors' major business affiliation and occupation (including employer details) for such contributions, but this bill would make it illegal to share that specific information with the public. The measure directly affects donors who give over $250, shielding their employer information from public view. Violations would be punishable as a misdemeanor under the new provisions.
